Nine years ago as we were driving up to the foothills to cut down our Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music and looking at all the Christmas decorations, we passed by this darling little tea house in a small town that was all decked out for the holidays.
I remarked to my then four daughters (ages 10, 7,6 and 4) how fun it would be to have a Christmas tea party with all of their friends. And so one of our annual holiday traditions was born! We went home and immediately made an invitation and a couple weeks later we had our inaugural holiday tea party. This special event has become one of the very favorite activities for us all as well as for many of our friends. And it has grown into quite the affair. From having just three daughters attend (I have a “rule” that they must be five years old to go to this fancy “china” tea party) and several family friends – to now having all six daughters invite their friends which means we have had well over 50 in attendance the past several years. (and we DO NOT have a large house – but we have gotten very creative to make it work – don’t ever let space stop you from opening up your home to others.)
We serve cookies (from our cookie baking day), scones (served with clotted cream and lemon curd) and special tea sandwiches that have become traditional –
- Almond Chicken
- Shrimp Crescents
- Egg Salad
- Cucumber Cream Cheese Slices
We offer a variety of teas – always having cinnamon apple, lemon and English breakfast. This years we also served – orange spice, nutcracker sweet and sugar plum spice.
After enjoying the festive atmosphere of tinkling tea cups by candlelight, delicious food and lively conversation we have a time of sharing our talents. Over the years we have had the young ladies do dance routines, play the piano, sign language, sing songs, recite poems, and memorize scripture. It is always delightful. Following that we join together to sing several Christmas carols and close our time together in prayer thanking God for the birth of His Son, Jesus.
We have several dear friends who have been coming for the entire nine years and we have watched our young daughters grow from little girls to beautiful young ladies. Someday I can picture our daughters coming with their daughters as we continue this holiday tea party tradition.
Inspire Ministries 